ABSTRACT

Over the past 20 years 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; also known as 'ecstasy') has become a widely used recreational drug of abuse. However, studies have indicated that it is neurotoxic to serotonergic nerve terminals in rats and non-human primates and dopaminergic nerve terminals in mice. Recently, this tenet has been questioned following a study suggesting that MDMA can cause toxicity to dopamine-containing neurons in monkeys. In this article, the factors contributing to this change in neurotoxic profile are discussed.